Yes, there is a regular a la carte menu at Staple & Fancy Mercantile, Ethan Stowell's new spot in Ballard's renovated Kolstrand Building (also home to newcomer The Walrus & the Carpenter). But we say you're a fool if you pass up the four-course $45 chef's choice meal, served family style. It's a tremendous value for a hit parade of dishes not on the regular list. more ›

Okay. Maybe it was a little unfair of us to tease a dinner that the James Beard nominees for Best Chef Northwest, including Ethan Stowell, were preparing for a private little group of food writers. (Stowell sent out plates of six Shigoku oysters topped with uni--and that was per person, after amazing appetizers and with five courses to follow!) Actually, we had promised tweets so you could follow the Twitter dinner, but the technology failed. more ›

As we mentioned on Friday, we've got a dinner invitation of sorts for you tonight. more ›

While we're all still reveling in the Academy Awards, the restaurant industry is honoring its finest as well. A slew of local chefs are semifinalists for James Beard Foundation restaurant and chef awards [pdf], with nominees to be announced on March 23. more ›